Cynthia “Cyndy” Martin, a well known northern Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor activist, was sentenced to 364 days in the Itasca County Jail for leaving the scene the night of July 3, 2024, after she struck a 19-year-old pedestrian on Highway 169 near Nashwauk.
Martin must also spend each Fourth of July holiday in jail during her five-year probation period, complete 100 hours of community service, pay a $1,085 fine and comply with several other conditions of probation upon release.
Judge Heidi Chandler explained to about 45 people in attendance how she reached her decision to grant a downward dispositional departure, or less than the recommended sentence. She said Martin has shown remorse and accepted responsibility for her actions that led to Carter Haithcock’s death, is particularly amenable to complying with probation and has broad support of friends and family.
Ahead of Monday’s hearing, Martin’s defense team submitted 38 letters of support that attested to her selfless and kind character, her volunteerism and strong work ethic, and her commitment to the community.
Chandler acknowledged Martin has struggled immensely because of her actions in this case, but not before addressing the extreme hardships faced by the victim’s family.
“Nothing that can happen out of this courtroom will ever bring Carter back,” Chandler said. “I don’t know what the right word is for Carter’s family. … I truly feel for you. I have lost family members, but not in the way you have. … He was a young man with a lot of life ahead of him.”
Chandler made the ruling at the end of an emotional hearing in a courtroom filled with the families and supporters of both Martin and Haithcock. Many cried throughout the proceedings.
John Haithcock Jr. spoke of his family’s loss while making a victim impact statement about his son, a 2023 Nashwauk High School graduate and young father who worked at Yanmar.
“There are three other parents whose lives are destroyed. He had 14 nieces and nephews who don’t understand,” Haithcock Jr. said. “ … He has a son growing up without a father, whose life is also destroyed.”
Haithcock Jr. expressed frustration with Martin’s plea deal, noting Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines call for a four-year prison sentence for someone like Martin, with no criminal history. He suggested she was getting a “slap on the wrist” because of her political affiliation.
“That’s what the guidelines are for,” Haithcock Jr. said. “ … Try her like you try everybody.”
Assistant County Attorney Courtney Beck described the unusual circumstances of the case, which was heavily scrutinized because of Martin’s volunteer roles in local political party leadership. Martin was the chair of the 8th Congressional District DFL Party and vice-chair of the Itasca County DFL Party. Martin resigned from those positions in December 2025, shortly after reporting from the Reformer highlighted a split in party support.
Beck said Martin was put to trial through social media, and both prosecutors and law enforcement received an extreme number of tips and letters calling her a murderer, accusing her of being intoxicated and demanding her imprisonment. She said none of these claims reflect the evidence the state actually possesses.
“She did not intend to hit Mr. Haithcock,” Beck said. “Ms. Martin did stop for 25 seconds, but she failed to investigate. If she had done so, we wouldn’t be sitting here today. A tragic accident became a criminal matter.”
Beck outlined each of the reasons the state agreed to Martin’s deal to plead guilty and why it also agreed Martin should receive a lighter sentence than usual. Defense Attorney Derek Hansen thanked Beck for explaining the sentencing guidelines and the reasons judges may depart from them.
“Nobody is going to walk out of his courtroom feeling like they won,” Hansen said.
He said Martin had unequivocally accepted responsibility at the time of her plea hearing and described a woman whose life was turned upside down by the collision. He said Martin had attempted to take her own life on one or two occasions since.
Martin choked back tears as she read a prepared statement expressing her sincere condolences and apologizing to Haithcock’s family.
“I think of Carter all the time,” Martin said. “Not only was a life lost, but a family was forever changed.”
Martin described her grief and shame, saying she’s been forced to confront the consequences of her actions.
“I should have stopped. I should have done more. I deeply regret that decision,” she said. “ … I understand my suffering does not compare to the suffering of Carter’s family. I am so, truly sorry. If I could change what happened, I would do it immediately.”
